Recently, I have been working on a job for a local parochial elementary school. The school (St. Mary's) is creating a new hands-on learning space for their students. This new space, called Discovery Hall, will be filled with many hands-on learning experiences in which students will be challenged use their critical thinking and problem solving skills. Doesn't that sound awesome??!!

I was commissioned to create the artwork for this space and it is so exciting (mixed with a bit of some trepidation!) to be a part of this endeavor!

Much of what I have done for this project, thus far, is to put together and sketch out my ideas and collect and create papers and materials.

The word "discover" will be hanging across one wall - collaged with various papers.

The opposite will have six large square artwork featuring icons. These piece will be collaged with the same papers as I am using on the "discover" letters.

These are some of the papers I am using to create the artwork.

Right now, I am in the process of creating the backgrounds for the icon pieces.

I must admit that the "blank canvas" (in this case, blank board) was intimidating! It was harder that I expected to simply start. (I suppose there is a good life-lesson in that!) But, after some bouts of procrastinating, I put some glue and paper to some boards and started! I am excited to see how my sketches will come to life!

These are four of the icon art in the beginning stages.

I am not sure how I feel about these pieces yet - but getting started filling the "canvas" feels good.

I'll keep you posted about my progress. Thanks for joining me on this journey!

Two weeks ago, I bid adieu to my job. It was scary to make the decision to quit. There is safety in going to a job, being accountable to someone else and getting a regular paycheck.

But I wasn't happy.

It was a part-time job and I was creating art in my off-time (along with being a mom and a wife). I was spread thin - and did not feel very successful at either my job or my art.

And that sucked.

So I gave notice and quit. And now I have my days free to create and build an art business.

And, WOW!​It's exciting AND terrifying!​I feel overwhelmed AND frozen by all the ideas swimming around in my head, andI feel thrilled AND intimidated about all the possibilities of what I could do.

But mostly, I feel GRATEFUL that I have this opportunity to spend my days doing what I love!

I don't want this journey happen without reflecting upon and be mindful of the important moments, lessons, and, of course artwork. So every Wednesday (and perhaps even more!) I will post a blog and share my thoughts, insights, and stories.